KENNY DALGLISH said those responsible for the Hillsborough disaster “might be shaking in their boots” after the truth over how 96 supporters died was finally uncovered.

Dalglish speaks during memorial service marking the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster

A fresh inquest determined those who lost their lives at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989, were unlawfully killed due to the negligence of South Yorkshire Police and exonerated fans from any blame.

The ruling vindicated the families who have fought for justice for 27-years after refusing to accept the original accidental death inquest verdict and battled to make themselves heard ever since.

Dalglish was Liverpool manager at the time of the tragedy, attending numerous funerals in the aftermath, while his ongoing support for families has been unstinting.

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The Crown Prosecution Service has said, Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield, former chief constable Sir Norman Bettison and four other individuals have been charged with offences relating to the Hillsborough disaster.

Two men hold a Justice for the 96 banner as they arrive at the Hillsborough inquests in Warrington

He said last night: “Completely and utterly correct, the supporters of Liverpool Football Club have been totally vindicated.

“There'll be a lot of people there who have heard the verdict and they might be shaking in their boots a little bit because, obviously, you would expect there to be some recompense to anybody who's tried to alter or affect the truth coming through here and also in affecting the outcome.

“If that is the case, then surely if there is anyone like that then they're the ones that are going to be called to task.

Dalglish also hailed the courage and dignity of the victims’ families and said their belief that truth would finally prevail had underpinned their fight for justice over nearly three decades.

“The way they have gone about getting to this point has been unbelievable - their humility, the way they've conducted themselves, their dignity and the determination to get what they thought was justice and the belief from them that the supporters were in no way, shape or form, to blame,” said Dalglish.

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On 15th April 1989, 96 men, women and children were killed during a crush at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest after overcrowding at the 54,000 seat stadium

“You're pleased that they've won this but on the other hand it's taken 27 years out of their life, what they gave for their life and their families' life.

“It's fantastic news for them and it's news that they thoroughly deserve. I don't know which words you would use to describe your feelings - certainly 'celebration' is not the right word.

“The belief that they were telling the truth all this time (kept them going). And the belief that the people that were close to it at Liverpool Football Club and the people who supported the club that were there on that day [that] they knew the truth.

“They knew that it wasn't their fault. They knew that they were innocent and it's absolutely fantastic that they have done it to get the verdict unlawful killing, which is what they were wanting. They couldn't have asked for any more.

Dalglish continued: “I think everybody knows they show appreciation. I think that's been one of the most important reasons that they've been able to continue for 27 years, as the support that they've had from the people of Liverpool and elsewhere.

“Without that support, and there's been tough years - it's easy when you go back over and say '27 years' but they actually go through 27 years of your life fighting this and there was really, really tough days.

“It's been fantastic that they've been there and it's fantastic that they've come out the other the end with every judgement in their favour.

“[For] many people who survived it was traumatic for them as well. They lived through it, they did everything they possibly could to help people who, at the day, were struggling.

“If the supporters maybe got a little bit more help from the people who were supposed to be there to help then maybe there wouldn't have been as many fatalities as there were.

“We don't know, we've not got a clue really what they've been through. But what they have been, they've been magnificent in what they set out to achieve and it's congratulations to each and every single one them, if that's the right word, for getting this victory in getting justice for themselves that they fought so hard to get.

“The verdict of unlawful killing, the vindication of every supporter that was there, it gives them a clean bill of health.

“And now I'm sure they'll sit back and reflect and read through the Coroner's rulings and see if there are other steps that maybe they want to take or they can take or other avenues where people who maybe were involved in it and trying to cover things up are going to be brought to task.

“But for them, that's heroic what they've done. 27 years of their life for their loved one and they get that back. You hold your hat off to them because it would have been much easier for them to have thrown the towel in.

“But as Bill Kenwright said at one of the services, you don't take on Scouse mothers, you don't take on the Scouse women - they're much more determined than anybody, so congratulations to the Scouse women and men.

“Congratulations to everybody of the Hillsborough families and the people who helped them get the verdict that they've got.”

Everton’s response to the verdict demonstrated once again their unstinting solidarity to Liverpool.

A statement said simply: “Everton Football Club salutes the Hillsborough families and their total vindication as Fighters for Justice.